Offense, defense go head-to-head in Saturday's spring scrimmage
After months of preparation, the football team competes for the first time in 2009 with fans in the stands Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
CMU's annual spring scrimmage takes place at 6 p.m.
The spring game concludes spring practices and gives younger players a chance to showcase what attributes they possess.
"The biggest thing for me is coaching up the younger guys, make sure they are in the right places and provide leadership," said junior linebacker Nick Bellore. "I can only do so much; guys have to want to go out and win a spot. That's what spring ball is."
The scrimmage will provide several game-like situations for both the offense and the defense. Some situations will favor the defense, like placing the offense on its own 4-yard line. Others will favor the offense, such as starting from the opposing 20-yard line.
Points are kept for each side, with offense earning points for first downs and scoring and defense for stops and turnovers.
Coach Butch Jones said there is competition at almost every position for starting jobs and playing time in different personnel packages.
"It is easy to do some things when no one is watching," Jones said. "I want to see how some of the redshirt freshmen handle the competition and handle the nerves."
Jones said this has been a very smooth spring for the team but the spring game is probably the worst day in the life of any coach - particularly the head coach. A lot of that has to do with injuries, something teams all across the country are looking to stay away from through the conclusion of spring practice.
"It becomes a balancing act and you want to get you work in," he said. "You want to see when the lights are on and when there are fans in the stands, who will compete, and there is also a fine line because you never want to get anybody hurt."
Intersquad competition is a big part of the game, and the backup quarterback position is turning out to be one of the closest position battles.
Redshirt freshman Ryan Radcliff from Sherwood, Ohio, and sophomore Derek Rifenbury from Deerfield Beach, Fla., have competed against each other all spring and into Saturday.
"Our No. 2 quarterback spot is still a work in progress," Jones said. "The reps that Radcliff and Rifenbury get in the spring game will all be big for them."
Jones said the defensive backfield and both offensive and defensive lines also will have a high level of competition.
"One thing that we strive for is to have a lot of competition at each spot," Bellore said. "I think there are a lot of guys that have to make their mark on Saturday."
Position change is also something that can happen in the spring. Bellore is experiencing a transition himself, moving from middle linebacker to outside linebacker.
"I am still trying to figure out the little intricacies of the other linebacker spot," he said.
Some of the key players who will get minimal reps in the spring game include Bellore, quarterback Dan LeFevour and wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Other events
At 1:30 p.m. Saturday the football team will host "A day with the Chippewas," an event for kids 12 and under. The attendees learn basic football techniques, eat lunch with the team and watch a highlight video while receiving autographs from players and coaches.
From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., a silent auction is scheduled and season tickets will be on sale for the coming season.
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